Chapter 12 Summary

In December 1864, the country awaits word as to the whereabouts of Sherman's army. Finally, on Christmas the President receives a wire from Sherman; "I beg to present you the city of Savannah as a Christmas gift."

After taking Savannah, Sherman turns North to meet with Grant. Accounts of soldiers' plundering and looting throughout Georgia are prevalent. The army then moves on to South Carolina, North Carolina and into Virginia. As reports of delight in the devastation come from letters from sons throughout the community, fathers begin wondering what this war has done to their sons' moral senses.

In January 1865, Jethro is now thirteen. He shows the physical changes of a boy turning into a man. Trying to draw him out of the reserve that has settled in over the last few years, one day Ellen asks him to talk about the lessons he had learned from Shad...